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    Home » Breakfast » Flaxseed Pudding

    Flaxseed Pudding

    Published: May 18, 2022 · Modified: Sep 27, 2022 by Jessica

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    This easy and quick flaxseed pudding is so delicious and amazingly healthy. Shockingly packed with omega-3, fiber and plant-based protein, it is perfect served with layers of fruit or to garnish oatmeals and smoothie bowls. Makes for a tasty breakfast, snack or dessert.

    Front angle view on a small jar of flaxseed pudding layered with strawberry jam and fresh blueberries.

    Looking for a change from chia seed pudding? Try flaxseed pudding!

    You might be making flaxseed gel to use in vegan baking (replaces the eggs), but holy moly, try serving it as a sweet pudding and you will be up for a delicious discovery.

    Ridiculously quick and easy to make, only requires 4 simple ingredients, great for meal-prep, fun unique texture, super tasty, highly customizable... such an amazingly simple and delicious dessert recipe.

    But there is more: flaxseed pudding is SO healthy! These tiny seeds provide a heaping dose of healthy fats, lots of fiber and even some plant-based protein. Also very rich in lignans, a well-known compound with some anti-cancer properties.

    Flaxseeds also have a naturally pleasant taste with a strong nutty flavor and even some sweet notes. This pudding also features vanilla extract, a little sweetener and is made using plant-based milk for a nice creamy and rich texture. Makes for a healthy and filling breakfast, snack or even dessert.

    Hope you give it a try 🙂

    Chia seed pudding vs flaxseed pudding

    Both chia and flaxseeds absorb liquids to form a pudding-like consistency without requiring any cooking or additives (no gelatin needed). It all happens with a little resting time!

    Both kind of puddings also are similar in nutrition (although flaxseeds contain more protein than chia seeds!) and texture, although you get more of a tapioca-like consistency when using chia seeds vs smooth when using flaxseeds (the seeds have to be ground first, which gives a more uniform result).

    BUT, compared to chia seeds, flaxseeds are MUCH cheaper and also more accessible. Ground flaxseeds can easily be found in grocery stores or you can simply grind the whole seeds yourself, it is so easy!

    Overhead view showing the top on 2 jars filled with a flaxseed pudding and topped with fruits and shredded coconut.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Delicious way to eat more plant-based omega-3.
    • Great for meal-prep and perfect for breakfasts on-the-go.
    • Kids love it and great for toddlers/babies.
    • Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free, gelatin-free.
    • Made without refined white sugar.
    • Ultra rich in fiber!
    • Less expensive compared to chia seed pudding.
    • Easy to customize and can be flavored many different ways.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • Ground flaxseeds: you will need ground flax opposed to whole seeds (easy to find in most grocery stores).
    • Plant-based milk: use any kind, but avoid milk with any added sugar so you can sweeten the pudding to your taste.
    • Vanilla extract: important I think for an amazing flavor and to enhance sweetness.
    • Sweetener: use your favorite, but I love how maple syrup flavors the pudding.

    Ground flax vs Flax meal vs Whole seeds

    It can be a little confusing to know which kind of seeds to use, but it's pretty simple: do NOT use whole seeds. This is important for 2 reasons:

    1. Whole flaxseeds won't turn into a pudding consistency as much compared to ground seeds.
    2. Whole seeds are protected by their insoluble fiber shells and the digestive system cannot break it (it just passes through the gut). Using whole seeds would prevent you from enjoying all of their amazing health benefits!

    You might see brown or golden seeds at the store, they both will give you about the same result and they are equally nutritious. Although, the golden seeds are a little milder in taste.

    You will need to use crushed or ground flaxseeds when making this pudding. Ground flax and flax meal are the same thing. They are both milled seeds into a powder/flour consistency. You can buy flax meal in most grocery stores (such as this ground flaxseed from Bob's Red Mill).

    If you only have whole flaxseeds, then do like me and simply grind them yourself, it is so easy and quick! To do it, grind the seeds using a food processor, coffee grinder or a blender. You will need to scrape the walls and bottom a few times (stop every 15 seconds or so) to ensure all the seeds are well crushed. It should only take 1-2 minutes to do and stop whenever it is all powdery so you don't over warm the seeds or turn them into oil. I recommend to grind more than you need and use the extra to make flax eggs for baking, sprinkle over oatmeals or to make puddings!

    Showing are the ingredients to make this recipe.

    How to make flaxseed pudding

    Grind the seeds

    Or use already ground seeds (see above). I recommend to batch grind seeds so you don't have to do that every time you want to make a pudding.

    Combine

    In a bowl, simply combine the ground flax, plant-based milk, vanilla extract and sweetener. You can start with just a little sweetener and add more as you taste. Whisk well to incorporate all the seeds into the milk (ground flax easily clumps).

    Rest and serve

    Right after you stir, the consistency will be pretty liquid-y. As it rests, the texture will turn into a pudding. This can take about 30-60 minutes, or even quicker. Adjust consistency once done resting by adding more milk if needed. You can let it set overnight as well.

    • In process picture: bowl with milk, ground linseeds, and sweetener.
    • In process picture: there is a spoon stirring a creamy mixture in a bowl.

    Watch how to make it

    Front view on a small jar of flaxseed pudding layered with strawberry jam and fresh blueberries.

    Variation to the recipe

    Here are a few ways you can customize this recipe:

    • Chocolate flax pudding: add some raw cacao powder to your pudding (about 1-2 tablespoons)! This will also add some more bitterness too, so you will need to adjust how much sweetener you need to add. Serve with chocolate chips too!
    • Tropical flax pudding: similar to this pineapple chia parfait, you can make the pudding using canned coconut milk instead of plant-based milk and layer with chopped pineapple and shredded coconut whenever you serve it.
    • No-added sweetener pudding: simply omit the maple syrup and once ready to eat, mash ½ banana and incorporate into the pudding to naturally sweeten it. Softened (in boiling water for 10 min) and mashed/blended medjool dates would work great too.
    • Spices: add some cinnamon, pumpkin spice mix, nutmeg, cardamom, etc.

    Serving suggestions

    There are many ways you can serve this pudding! One of my favorite way is by layering with a berry chia jam and more berries, like seen in the pictures. But also, top or layer with:

    • Nuts or seeds
    • Nut butter or pumpkin seed butter for a nut-free option
    • Vegan yogurt
    • Fresh fruits, such as mango, pineapple, bananas, apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, etc.
    • Vanilla granola
    • Vegan chocolate chips
    • Sea salt
    • Coconut whipped cream

    You can also make a large batch of this pudding and use to garnish your oatmeals, smoothie bowls or other pudding-like dessert.

    There is a spoon taking a bite of a flaxseed pudding from a jar to show the texture.

    FAQs

    How do I store my extra ground flaxseeds?

    Whether you buy already ground flax or grind the seeds yourself, once crushed (or once you open the bag!), keep them covered in a dark and cool area, ideally in the fridge. This will help keep them fresh longer and prevent them from going rancid.

    Are linseeds and flaxseeds the same?

    Yes! You might see flaxseeds called linseeds, it is the same thing!

    How long does it keep in the fridge?

    Once the pudding is done, you can keep it in the fridge for about 4 days. Adjust consistency before serving (it can get a little thicker or dry out overtime).

    Can I combine both chia and flax when making this pudding?

    Yes! Use half-half ground flax + chia seeds. The consistency will be amazing with some tapioca like texture coming from the chia.

    More pudding recipes you might like!

    • Avocado chocolate pudding
    • Coconut chia seed parfait
    • Vegan raspberry pudding

    I hope you like this flaxseed pudding as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    Front angle view on a small jar of flaxseed pudding layered with strawberry jam and fresh blueberries.

    Flaxseed Pudding

    This easy and quick flaxseed pudding is so delicious and amazingly healthy. Shockingly packed with omega-3, fiber and plant-based protein, it is perfect served with layers of fruits or to garnish oatmeals and smoothie bowls. Makes for a tasty breakfast, snack or dessert.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time5 mins
    Resting time30 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Servings 2 puddings
    Author Jessica Laroche

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup ground flaxseeds (flax meal)
    • ½ cup plant-based milk
    • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
    • sweetener of your choice: mashed bananas, maple syrup, blended dates, agave nectar. - to taste, I used 1 tablespoon of maple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • In a bowl, whisk together the flax meal, plant-based milk, vanilla extract and sweetener.
    • Let the pudding rest for about 30 minutes or overnight (it will turn into a pudding consistency while resting). Adjust sweetener and texture to your taste.
    • Enjoy layered with chia jam and fruits.

    Video

    Notes

    • This recipe makes enough for 2 small puddings. Feel free to make a larger batch and store in the fridge covered for up to 4 days. Also use to garnish oatmeals and smoothie bowls.
    • You can add raw cacao powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, shredded coconut, etc to flavor your pudding the way you want.
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    Pinterest picture showing a flaxseed pudding layered with berries with an overlay text saying: " Flaxseed pudding".
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    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

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